Hamas condemns US 'crime' of killing Soleimani

militant Hamas group in Gaza on Friday condemned killing of General Qassem Soleimani saying he h "a prominent role in supporting Palestinian resistance in all fields." Hamas spokesman Hazem Qasem said "crime reflects American recklessness in region and its violation of state sovereignty."

Iran has long supported Palestinian militant groups, including Gaza's Hamas rulers and particularly smaller Islamic Jih group. Hamas fell out with Iran after 2011 Arab Spring uprisings, losing millions of dollars in monthly assistance, but Tehran is said to have continued its military support to Hamas' armed wing.

Tensions have run high in Gaza since Israel's targeted killing of an Islamic Jih commander last month, which set off a brief two-day bout of fighting. Hamas, which has been negotiating a period of calm with Israel through Egyptian mediators, stayed on sidelines. Hamas is in a severe financial crisis and appears to get most of its aid from Qatar, making it less likely that it would rally to Tehran's side in a regional conflict. But Islamic Jih, still smarting from recent fighting, could be keen to join in any regional conflict by firing rockets.